--- title: "Book Notes: \"Shadow in the Dark\" by Antony Barone Kolenc" description: Leslea Wahl reviews Antony Barone Kolenc's swashbuckling tale for older elementary and middle-school readers, set in a medieval village.. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/book-notes-new-f.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2020/04/27/book-notes-shadow-in-the-dark-by-antony-barone-kolenc/#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Book Notes: "Shadow in the Dark" by Antony Barone Kolenc Apr 27, 2020 5:00:42 PM  |  by [Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/leslea-wahl) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/book-notes-new-f.jpg) ![](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/book-notes-new-f.jpg) [***Shadow in the Dark: The Chronicles of Xan Book One***](https://store.loyolapress.com/shadow-in-the-dark) by Anthony Barone Kolenc ### Summary The Shadow passes through the midnight chill, dark and silent. Two small boys peer down at it in terror. "It's back," one of them cries in a faint whisper. Bandits attack a medieval village. A young boy is injured and loses his memory. He wakes up at a Benedictine monastery and is given the name Xan -- short for Alexander. But when the monastery is raided and a monk is accused of a violent crime, Xan must uncover the truth. Could the raid be related to the one that destroyed his village? And what about the shadowy figure Xan has seen lurking on the abbey grounds at night? Mystery. Danger. Adventure. It's all here. And true forgiveness and courage too. ![Shadows in the Dark - Kolenc](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shadow-in-the-dark-kolenc.jpg) ### Review [***Shadow in the Dark***](https://store.loyolapress.com/shadow-in-the-dark) by Anthony Barone Kolenc is an exciting middle-grade adventure. The story, set in a medieval village, is about a boy who is injured and loses his memory. With the help of a group of Benedictine monks, Xan (short for Alexander) begins to heal and discover his identity. In the process, he uncovers a sinister plot that not only involves his past but places him, and those around him, in danger. This short novel has a lot to offer. Adventure, mystery, history, and an abundance of faith. Older elementary and middle-school boys will especially enjoy this swashbuckling tale. While set in the past, here are plenty of issues modern day readers will relate to: scary tales of dark shadows, peer pressure, standing up for what is right, and discovering one’s faith. This [**first book in The Chronicles of Xan**](https://store.loyolapress.com/shadow-in-the-dark) is an enjoyable read. [tweet "Adventure, mystery, history, and an abundance of faith: @LesleaWahl reviews #middlegrade novel by @TonyKolenc"] ### **Visit [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/).** --- *Copyright 2020 Leslea Wahl* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2020%2F04%2F27%2Fbook-notes-shadow-in-the-dark-by-antony-barone-kolenc%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2020%2F04%2F27%2Fbook-notes-shadow-in-the-dark-by-antony-barone-kolenc%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2020%2F04%2F27%2Fbook-notes-shadow-in-the-dark-by-antony-barone-kolenc%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Book%20Notes%3A%20%22Shadow%20in%20the%20Dark%22%20by%20Antony%20Barone%20Kolenc) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2020%2F04%2F27%2Fbook-notes-shadow-in-the-dark-by-antony-barone-kolenc%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2020%2F04%2F27%2Fbook-notes-shadow-in-the-dark-by-antony-barone-kolenc%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/LESLEA%20WAHL.jpeg) ### [Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/leslea-wahl) Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Catholic teen adventurous mysteries. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her family. Leslea believes one way to encourage teens in their faith is through positive messages and Catholic values, embedded in great stories. She is excited to share her reviews of some incredible Catholic books, all of which have received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval. Find her online at [LesleaWahl.com](http://www.LesleaWahl.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Faith Through Fiction: Suffering Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/faith-through-fiction-suffering) [ Family Drama for Teens: 'Blink and We'll Miss It' Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/family-drama-for-teens-blink-and-well-miss-it) [ Back to the Bright Before Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/back-to-the-bright-before) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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